December 26, 2012 13:02

EastEnders wins Christmas TV ratings battle

BBC One soap opera averages 9.4 million viewers to beat Coronation Street

EastEnders has won this year's Christmas TV ratings battle.

The BBC One soap opera averaged 9.4million viewers yesterday (December 25) to beat its rival, ITV1's Coronation Street, to take the coveted title for the fourth year running.

Coronation Street averaged 8.6 million to pick up second place, and third place went to the Strictly Come Dancing who followed up its triumphant series with a Christmas special which got 7.8 million viewers.

Caroline Aherne's BBC One sitcom The Royle Family was in fourth place with 7.7 million viewers, just ahead of Doctor Who. 7.6 million viewers tuned in to see Jenna-Louise Coleman's debut as the Doctor's new assistant.

ITV1's Downton Abbey shared sixth place with BBC1's Call The Midwife, as both pulled in 7.3 million viewers. Meanwhile, The Queen was in eighth place with her annual Christmas broadcast averaging 6.3 million viewers across both BBC1 and ITV1.

Emmerdale, ITV1's less popular soap opera, was in ninth position with 6.23 million viewers and BBC News completes the Christmas Day Top 10 with 6.1million viewers tuning it for the 15-minute bulletin at 10:45pm.

The full Christmas Day Top 10 is as follows:

1. EastEnders, BBC One - 9.4m
2. Coronation Street, ITV1 - 8.8m
3. Strictly Come Dancing, BBC One - 7.8m
4. The Royle Family, BBC One - 7.7m
5. Doctor Who, BBC One - 7.6m
6. Downton Abbey, ITV1 - 7.3m
6. Call The Midwife, BBC One 7.3m
8. The Queen, BBC One, ITV1 - 6.3m
9. Emmerdale, ITV1 - 6.2m
10. BBC News, BBC One - 6.1m